Latif led Aman around the village, gesturing with a slight shrug and a small smile.
"Hmm… well, there's not much here," he admitted, voice light, almost embarrassed.
Aman didn't reply immediately. His eyes scanned the surroundings not out of curiosity, but caution. He wasn't here for sightseeing. He was evaluating, mentally noting structures, terrain, exits. If he didn't find what he needed here, looting might be his only option. Supplies were running low, and that damned Major hadn't given him much for the next stretch of his journey.
Latif turned to him. "So… what's your plan?"
Aman glanced at him briefly, then looked back ahead. "Nothing much. Just trying to get out of here as fast as I can," he replied, voice steady but distant.
Villagers watched them as they passed, their gazes lingering unfriendly, suspicious. Aman could feel it. It wasn't subtle. His clothes probably didn't help half of him still looked like a British officer. His weathered boots, the tattered military jacket, mixed with civilian pants and a makeshift sling bag. He looked like someone out of place, a leftover from a collapsing empire.
Latif wasn't any better. Son of a known traitor. In their eyes, both Aman and Latif were probably two sides of the same cursed coin the outsider, and the betrayer's boy.
Aman didn't understand why Latif and his mother stayed. They could've left. Started fresh somewhere else. The British would probably let them, especially now. Places like Penang or Malacca had better infrastructure, and in the Straits Settlements, people might not recognize them. They'd at least have electricity, clinics, and more importantly anonymity.
Still, Latif stayed. They both did.
As they walked, Aman caught sight of the same group of boys who had tried to mess with Latif before. But now, the boys turned and walked away quickly, eyes avoiding Aman. They weren't going to try anything. Not while he was around.
The sun was starting to dip now. The sky glowed warm hues of red and gold.
"Hmm. I didn't find him," Aman muttered under his breath.
Latif looked at him, puzzled. "Find who? You said you just wanted to see the village. It's not very big, you know."
Aman gave a vague smile and patted Latif on the back. "You know... when I leave tomorrow morning, take care of yourself, okay?"
Latif frowned slightly. The tone in Aman's voice shifted softer, almost wistful. But he didn't press him for answers.
Despite Aman's cold exterior and occasional sarcasm, Latif had grown to like him. Aman didn't treat him like a burden. He wasn't harsh, or dismissive. Since Aman had arrived, Rahim and his little gang hadn't come near. In a way, Aman felt like the big brother Latif never had.
They walked past the village and into the woods, the trees casting long shadows.
"You know," Latif spoke up, glancing around, "my mum doesn't really like me being outside this late. If I come back late, she'll get mad."
"Nah. I'll take the fall," Aman replied with a smirk. "I'll say I forced you to show me around. Sound good?"
Latif chuckled nervously. "Yeah… okay, but still…"
Without warning, Aman reached over and pinched Latif's cheek.
"Ouch! Ouch! That hurts!" Latif yelped, pulling away, rubbing his cheek.
Aman grinned. "That's what you get for worrying too much."
For a moment, the forest was peaceful. Birds chirped. Wind rustled the leaves above them. Aman felt it the calm. No missions, no gunfire, no lies. Just two people in the woods, with the fading sun above them.
"You've looked inside my sling bag, haven't you?" Aman asked suddenly, breaking the quiet. "You saw the gun."
Latif stiffened slightly, but nodded. "Yeah… I did. But I didn't tell anyone."
"You did a good job," Aman said. "Thanks for that."
He reached into his bag and pulled out the snub nosed revolver. Carefully, he popped out the bullets and handed the empty weapon to Latif.
"Here. Go on. You've been curious, haven't you?"
Latif stared at him. "Really? You trust me with this?"
Aman nodded.
Latif hesitated, then took the revolver with both hands. He aimed it around playfully but cautiously.
"This is heavier than it looks," he said. "British soldiers use even bigger ones, right?"
"You mean rifles," Aman replied.
"Ohh. That's what they're called? Long ones, yeah… That makes sense."
Suddenly, Latif's hand trembled. He dropped the revolver and clutched his chest, falling to one knee.
"Latif!" Aman rushed to his side, alarmed.
Latif fumbled with his pocket, finally pulling out his inhaler and taking a puff. After a few seconds, his breathing steadied. He leaned back against a tree, face pale but calm now.
Aman exhaled, placing a hand on Latif's shoulder. "You okay?"
Latif nodded. "Yeah… happens sometimes."
Aman sat beside him until the color returned to his face.
Eventually, they walked back to the house. Aman calmly explained the delay to Latif's mother, taking full blame. She gave him a long, hard look, but said nothing.
After evening prayer, the two sat inside. A candle flickered beside them, throwing shadows on the walls.
"Wanna see something cool?" Aman asked.
Latif nodded eagerly.
Aman unpacked his sling bag and laid out its contents on the floor: a folded map, compass, flashlight, binoculars, a flashlight battery, some rations, and a small notebook.
Latif looked at everything like it was treasure. "Wow…"
Aman watched him. His eyes full of wonder. Mei Lian would've rolled hers by now and complained he was being dramatic.
He missed her. And that monster or another name the Major. By now, they were probably already on their way to Kuala Lumpur. If he didn't get there in time, he might miss everything.
Was he still even a spy? Or had this mission turned into something else entirely?
"Oh! This!" Latif suddenly picked up the flashlight. He aimed it at Aman's face and clicked the button.
The light beamed into Aman's eyes. "Gah! Careful!"
Latif laughed. "You look ugly in this light. It's so bright!"
"Yeah, well... it's a flashlight. No need for candles or torches," Aman muttered. "Battery powered. That's electricity for you."
"I know electricity! When we were in Kuala Lumpur, my dad worked in a building that had switches. One press bam! Light everywhere!" Latif beamed.
Aman couldn't help but smile at him. He was still a kid. Compared to him, Aman felt… older than his years. Taller, tougher. In another world, people would mistake him for a soldier. Latif? Just a boy.
He taught Latif how to use the compass, how to read the map. Latif listened, completely absorbed.
"It's cool," he whispered, eyes wide.
Aman felt guilt again. A strange guilt he couldn't shake. He wasn't supposed to get attached. But here he was attached.
"Time to sleep!" Latif's mother called. "And take your friend with you."
…
Night settled. Silence fell. The candle dimmed.
Latif was asleep, curled under a blanket, breathing soft and even.
Aman watched him quietly. Slowly, he leaned over and gently patted his head.
"Sleep well," he whispered.
He stood and walked out of the house, slipping into the cool night. He had made up his mind. He wouldn't take anything from this village. Not because he was soft but because if something went missing, they'd blame Latif and his mother. He couldn't risk that.
He stepped outside. The moonlight was soft and silver.
Latif's mother sat quietly by the doorway.
"You're still up, Auntie?" Aman asked softly.
She looked at him with tired eyes. "Yes… Latif talks about you a lot. He says you've been kind to him. That he has a secret now something I can't understand it about you he said funny enough. But he trusts you. And for that, I'm thankful."
Aman nodded slowly. "I'm leaving tomorrow. But... after the British left, how will you get more medicine? His asthma's serious."
She gave him a small smile. It didn't reach her eyes. "We'll manage."
A voice interrupted them.
"You… one of the Japanese, aren't you?"
Aman turned. It was the man with glasses the same one who'd been eyeing him earlier.
Aman looked back at Latif's mother. And then he understood. She was KMM. Not for the cause, not for power. Just for her son. For his life. For medicine. She did what she had to.
Aman didn't blame her. Not anymore.
The man stepped closer. His eyes sharp. "The Major sent you, didn't he? You're on your way to Kuala Lumpur?"
Aman sighed, looking up at the stars.
"Yeah… and I already know this is going to be a pain."
And so, his journey continued.